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| Explanatory Comments for January 18, 2011 |
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REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF GREENWICH
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS FOR
JANUARY 2011 MEETING
DEPARTMENT: Citizen Petition
REFERRED TO: All Committees
VOTES: Board or commission name vote (y/n/a)
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters of the Town of Greenwich, pursuant to Section 173(a) of Article 13 of the Charter of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, present to the Representative Town Meeting this petition;
NOW THEREFORE, We, the undersigned and qualified voters of the Town of Greenwich make a motion to have section VI. SPECIAL COMMITTEES of the Rules of the Representative Town Meeting be amended as follows (additions in bold, [deletions in brackets]):
C. OTHER SPECIAL COMMITTEES
1. By Moderator’s Appointment. The Moderator [shall] may, upon an approved motion duly made and seconded, appoint such other special committees of members as may be necessary, and may designate the chairmen thereof.
2. By Resolution. The RTM may, upon motion duly made and seconded, appoint such special committees of members as it deems necessary, and may designate the chairmen thereof.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS:
The overall goal of this resolution is to ensure that all committees acting on behalf of the Representative Town Meeting are approved by the Representative Town Meeting. This resolution is one approach: to leave the rule governing the creation of special committees the same, but ensuring that all special committees appear as resolutions, are approved, and are recorded in the minutes.
This resolution does not address the composition of the committee nor how the committee is chaired. The resolution also does not address whether the charge or mission of the committee should also be approved. Further changes to the rules to govern those issues should be addressed to the satisfaction of the Representative Town Meeting, and if necessary, voting down this resolution in order to have a more complete resolution brought before the Representative Town Meeting.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Commission on Aging for a term expiring 3/31/14.
HOWARD P. SERRELL, JR.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Howard Serrell, of 12 River Lane, Cos Cob 06807 has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Commission on Aging for a term expiring 3/31/2014.
Mr. Serrell is a Vice President of Wells Fargo at Lafayette Place in Greenwich, Connecticut. Holding degrees from Dartmouth, Wesleyan and Adelphi he generously shares his time and expertise as a board member of the MEWS and volunteer with the Red Cross. He is currently a regular member of the Commission on Aging.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Commission on Aging for a term expiring 3/31/14.
CATHERINE M. BRENNAN
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Catherine Brennan, of 1 Meadow Drive, Cos Cob 06807 has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Commission on Aging for a term expiring 3/31/2014.
Ms. Brennen is a practicing lawyer who specializes in estate planning, trust administration and estate settlement. Holding degrees from Holy Cross, Pace and the New York University School of Law, she currently shares her time and expertise with the POCD Housing Task Force, the Junior League and St. Mary’s Parish. Ms. Brennen is the current Vice President of the Commission on Aging.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Commission on Aging for a term expiring 3/31/14.
GLORIA B. JACKSON
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Lori Jackson, of 46 Keofferam Road, Old Greenwich 06870 has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Commission on Aging for a term expiring 3/31/2014.
Ms. Jackson is involved in numerous civic engagement activities. Holding a degree from Kenyon College, she shares her time and expertise with the Greenwich United Way, Parents Together, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenwich High School and the POCD Downtown Planning Committee. Ms. Jackson is regular member of the Commission on Aging.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Town Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be reappointed a member of the Board of Ethics for a term expiring 3/31/14.
ROBERT V. SISCA
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Robert Sisca, 40 Nutmeg Drive, Greenwich, 06830 has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Board of Ethics for a term expiring 3/31/2014.
Holding a Law Degree from New York Law School, Robert leads the Law Offices of Robert V. Sisca & Associates, LLC. Mr. Sisca is currently a member of the Board of Ethics.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Nathaniel Witherell Board for a term expiring 3/31/14.
CHRISTOPHER A. THURLOW
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Christopher Thurlow, of 198 Shore Road, Cos Cob 06870, has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Nathaniel Witherell Board for a term expiring 3/31/14.
Holding a degree from Sweet Briar College, she has shared her expertise as a volunteer with Human Services, Friends of the Nathanial Witherell, the Garden Education Center, Den for Grieving Children, the First Selectman’s Beach Task Force, the Garden Club of Old Greenwich, as well as the Republican Town Committee. She is a current member of the Nathanial Witherell Board.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Nathaniel Witherell Board for a term expiring 3/31/14.
THOMAS A. SACCARDI
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Thomas Saccardi, of 22 Connecticut Avenue, Greenwich 06830, has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Nathaniel Witherell Board for a term expiring 3/31/14.
Dr. Saccardi is currently a lecturer at New York Medical College after a career in hospital administration. Having degrees from Cathedral College, Gregorian College (Rome, Italy), St. John’s University and the City University of New York, he currently share is expertise with the Town of Greenwich Building Committee. Dr. Saccardi has been approved for candidacy on the Fulbright Senior Specialists Roster. He is a current member of the Nathanial Witherell Board.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of Board of Human Services for a term expiring 3/31/14.
STEVEN D. GROSS
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Steve Gross, of 5 Castle Court, Greenwich 06830 has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Board of Human Services for a term expiring 3/31/14.
Mr. Gross holds an MBA in finance and currently serves as Partner and CFO for Pinetum Partners LLC. Steve is a board member at Transportation Association of Greenwich as well as Jewish Family Services of Greenwich. He is currently a member of the Board of Human Services.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a regular member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/16.
PHYLLIS M. SHERIDAN
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
FiFi Sheridan, of 15 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich 06830 has been re-nominated as a regular member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/16.
Ms. Sheridan is an agent for Greenwich Fine Properties. Having a degree from St. Louis University with graduate work from Georgetown University, FiFi currently donates her time and expertise to the Merritt Parkway Conservancy and Green Fingers Garden Club. She is currently the Chair of the Historic District Commission.
ITEM NO: 10
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, re-nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed an alternate member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/16.
LESLIE KLEIN
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Leslie Klein, of 17 Highview Avenue, Old Greenwich 06870 has been re-nominated as an alternate member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/16.
Ms. Klein has generously shared her time with the following organizations: Foundation Board of the University Of Virginia School Of Architecture; the Advisory Board of University Of Virginia School Of Architecture; REACH Prep Board of Greenwich Connecticut; and as the Design Awards Chair of the Greenwich Arts Council. Additionally, Ms. Klein currently serves on the Architectural Review Committee.
Having earned a B.S. in Architecture, an M.S. in Historic Preservation, a Master’s of Philosophy in Architecture History and Theory, Ms. Klein is currently in the process of completing a Ph.D. in Architecture History and Theory at Columbia University. She is currently a teaching assistant at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Panning and Preservation. Ms. Klein is presently an alternate on the Historic District Commission.
DEPARTMENT: Legislative & Rules Committee
REFERRED TO: All Committees
VOTES: L & R Committee vote to place on January Call; 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that section III. I. 6 be added to the Rules of the Representative Town Meeting to read as follows:
6. Second Reading Procedure
No resolution that:
- Revises the Charter; or
- Enacts or revises an ordinance; or
- Revises the Rules of the Representative Town Meeting
(all of the above are hereinafter “The Proposed Resolution”), shall be voted upon by the Representative Town Meeting unless it has been subject to the following procedure:
a. It shall be placed on the Call of an initial Representative Town Meeting, and shall be referred to the appropriate committee(s) for review, revisions, and/or committee voting. The Proposed Resolution shall then be presented at the initial Representative Town Meeting, and committee reports shall be given and motions to revise may be voted upon at that meeting. If no revisions to the Proposed Resolution have been offered, other than to correct typographical errors, the Representative Town Meeting may take final action on The Proposed Resolution. If revisions to The Proposed Resolution have been offered, the procedure in subparagraph b below shall apply.
b. Except in the case of an emergency, as defined below, no final action shall be taken on The Proposed Resolution without first being placed on the Call not sooner than the next regularly scheduled Representative Town Meeting. All revisions proposed at the initial Representative Town Meeting shall be included in the Explanatory Comments for the Call. It shall be referred to the appropriate committees for a second reading, revisions and/or committee voting on The Proposed Resolution and on any revisions offered at the prior Representative Town Meeting and at that committee meeting. It may then be considered, revised and voted upon at a subsequent Representative Town Meeting.
c. An emergency is defined as a situation requiring immediate action to protect the public health or safety, or to protect the Town’s financial interest. In an emergency, The Proposed Resolution may be voted upon without a second reading. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting shall be necessary to move The Proposed Resolution for a vote in such an emergency.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Legislative & Rules Committee offers this resolution, seeking to adopt a Second Reading Procedure. A similar resolution was last offered to the RTM in October, 2009, when the RTM voted to postpone indefinitely this rule change, along with several other resolutions submitted by the Special Committee. Since last October, the L & R Committee has adopted several revisions to the Proposed Rule. The redlined version below shows those revisions, along with a revision made in September, 2009, at the suggestion of Chris von Keyserling.
Many items that come before the RTM are complex, especially those that involve our Rules, the Charter and Town Ordinances.
The practice of requiring a second reading of documents is currently used in the Connecticut General Assembly. It gives members of that body extra time to consider the implications of the proposed legislation. The Legislative & Rules Committee believes that a second reading would help to ensure that the RTM does not enact legislation that is not thoroughly considered by its committees. As drafted, it would apply to all non-emergency resolutions that amend the Charter, Town Ordinance, and Rules of the RTM. It has also incorporated revisions that would permit passage at the initial meeting if the Proposed Resolution is uncontroversial and no substantive revisions are made by any Committee or by the RTM.
REDLINED VERSION
6. Second Reading Procedure
No resolution that:
- Revises the Charter; or
- Enacts or revises an ordinance; or
- Revises the Rules of the Representative Town Meeting;
or
Appears on the Call by way of a petition signed by at least twenty (20) registered voters (all of the above are hereinafter “The Proposed Resolution”),
shall be voted upon by the Representative Town Meeting unless it has been subject to the following procedure:
a. It shall be placed on the Call of an initial Representative Town Meeting, and shall be referred to the appropriate committee(s) for review, revisions, and/or committee voting. The Proposed Resolution shall then be presented at the initial Representative Town Meeting, and committee reports shall be given and motions to amend revise may be voted upon at that meeting. If no revisions to the Proposed Resolution have been offered, other than to correct typographical errors, the Representative Town Meeting may take final action on The Proposed Resolution. If revisions to The Proposed Resolution have been offered, the procedure in subparagraph b below shall apply.
b. Except in the case of an emergency, as defined below, no final action shall be taken on The Proposed Resolution without first being placed on the Call not sooner than the next regularly scheduled Representative Town Meeting. All revisions proposed at the initial Representative Town Meeting shall be included in the Explanatory Comments for the Call. It shall be referred to the appropriate committees for a second reading, revisions and/or committee voting on The Proposed Resolution and on any revisions offered at the prior Representative Town Meeting and at that committee meeting. It may then be considered and voted upon at the a subsequent Representative Town Meeting.
c. An emergency is defined as a situation requiring immediate action to protect the public health or safety, or to protect the Town’s financial interest. In an emergency, The Proposed Resolution may be voted upon without a second reading. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting shall be necessary to move The Proposed Resolution for a vote in such an emergency.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman 203-622-7710
REFERRED TO: Finance and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES:
RESOLVED, that the First Selectman is authorized to apply for, accept and, after approval by the BET, expend grants from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
In January 2010, the Town of Greenwich finished its requirements to become a Clean Energy Community. As part of this program, the Town is eligible to apply for grants. This resolution allows the Town to take advantage of grants as they become available.
As a new Town in the program, the Town is automatically eligible for a $4,000 micro-grant and this will be the first grant that we apply for. This money will be used to assist the Conservation Commission and the Energy Management Team with its public outreach efforts to the community on energy conservation. Specifically, these funds will be used to sponsor an Energy Symposium/Fair to be held in 2011.
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Development
REFERRED TO: Finance and Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES:
RESOLVED, that the sum of $68,750 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to the following program year 2010 CDBG funded activities:
- $57,450 to Q19710-59900-21834 (St. Luke’s LifeWorks Boiler Replacement Project at Franklin Commons)
- $11,300 to Q19710-59900-21835 (St. Luke’s LifeWorks Roof Replacement Project at 20 Woodland Place Property)
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program received unexpected program income in the amount of $68,750 as a result of a repayment from a former CDBG sub-recipient who was not able to completely satisfy the terms of the CDBG sub-recipient agreement. The CDBG office requested nonprofit agencies to submit proposals for projects that require immediate funding (shovel-ready or emergency projects). The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) held a special meeting to discuss/evaluate the proposed projects and to allocate the available funds.
Background information
The CDBG office issued a memo dated November 12, 2010 to all nonprofit agencies on its mailing list notifying them of the availability of unallocated funds due to unexpected program income. As of the November 29, 2010 deadline, the CDBG office received nine proposed projects. Of the nine proposed projects, one was deemed ineligible. The Advisory Committee met on December 20, 2010 to discuss and prioritize the proposed projects.
Conclusion
After thoughtful and careful consideration, the Advisory Committee voted to allocate the unexpected program income funds of $68,750 to support two activities that were regarded as “emergency in nature” and priority projects. The proposed CDAC allocation will be presented to the BET during their January 2011 meeting.
Activity Summary:
1. St. Luke’s LifeWorks (SLLW) Boiler Replacement Project at Franklin Commons - $57,450
CDBG funds will be utilized to replace one of the two boilers at Franklin Commons, the largest facility operated by SLLW. Franklin Commons houses the following SLLW programs: Family Housing Program (21 beds); Education and Employment Program; Youth Services Program: Bright Space area for children; and their administrative offices. In addition to these programs, Franklin Commons is also home to 13 other programs/services that are vital to the low/moderate-income persons living in the area. SLLW has applied for a CT State grant to fund the replacement of the other boiler.
2. St. Luke’s LifeWorks (SLLW) Roof Replacement Project at 20 Woodland Place Property - $11,300
SLLW will utilize the CDBG funds to partially support the roof replacement project at their 20 Woodland Place property, where they operate the McKinney Residence for people living with HIV/AIDS. SLLW provides 15 units of affordable housing at this location. The roof is in desperate need for a replacement to address new problems such as dry wall falling from the internal ceiling, excessive leaking, etc. that developed recently. Replacing the roof is critical as it will protect the clients who live in the facility as well as prevent further damage to the building. The home consists of 10 units of transitional housing and 5 units of permanent supportive housing to low-income persons (with some having no income at all). The total cost of the project is estimated to be about $58,588.
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